Simple Tips For A Stress Free Holiday Meal

It can be exhausting to produce a meal, that pleases everyone, at the exact time that it’s needed. And that doesn’t even take into account the clean up! It can be quite a tiresome affair…though that needn’t be the case. As with anything, forward planning and preparation can lead to greater success.

By using the suggestions laid out below you’ll be better organized. You might be surprised to see that a meal can be prepared and cleaned away so quickly and effortlessly. You’ll also find that you’re better able to maintain a clean and organized kitchen.

1. Plan ahead. Any amount of planning will assist with the dinner making process, whether it’s following a full-blown meal plan, or just taking some meat from the freezer the day before.

2. Organize your kitchen. Just because you’ve always kept certain things in a particular place, doesn’t mean you should. Give away items that no longer get used and move the items that you most often use to places where they are more easily accessed.

3. Keep a plastic bag on the work surface where you cook. Do so, and you can drop all the garbage straight in there, rather than having it build up and get scattered around. Once you’re done, then you just need to make a single trip to the garbage can.

4. Place your ingredients back in the cupboard straight after you finish with them. Use some time to clean up while you cook, and you will be surprised at how much more manageable the state of your cooking area is when you’re done.

5. Buy in bulk where possible. Have dry goods on hand that you know you will use regularly in order to minimize the likelihood of last minute grocery store trips.

6. Wash a dish or two early. Sure there will be dishes to wash after everyone is done eating, but by cleaning some of the dishes used in the preparation in between simmers and stirs, there will be less.

7. Set the table as early as possible. If this task is out of the way early it won’t compete for your attention at mealtime.

8. Delegate. Make sure your members of your family know prior to eating what is expected of them i.e. doing the dishes, clearing their plates etc.

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